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Christine A. (965 KP) rated With Malice in Books
Feb 21, 2019
I was walking in the library and saw this book, With Malice by Eileen Cook, sitting on the endcap. I recognized the author's name as being one I had on my "want to read" list for "You Owe Me a Murder". It was not for this book but decided to give it a try especially since it is listed on Amazon as "'for fans of We Were Liars and The Girl on the Train".
I am so glad I did. This book was suspenseful from the start. Jill wakes up groggy and annoyed at the alarm clock until she realizes the beep she hears is hospital equipment. She was in an accident and does not remember the accident or the weeks before it. Was she responsible for the accident? Was it an accident? How can she figure it out if she does not even remember anything about the months before it?
With Malice is a fast-paced, well written, YA, mystery/thriller in which the main character does not leave the hospital bed for much of the story. The story keeps you guessing and trying to figure out what happened the same as Jill. We learn the story as she remembers.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 2/20/19.
I am so glad I did. This book was suspenseful from the start. Jill wakes up groggy and annoyed at the alarm clock until she realizes the beep she hears is hospital equipment. She was in an accident and does not remember the accident or the weeks before it. Was she responsible for the accident? Was it an accident? How can she figure it out if she does not even remember anything about the months before it?
With Malice is a fast-paced, well written, YA, mystery/thriller in which the main character does not leave the hospital bed for much of the story. The story keeps you guessing and trying to figure out what happened the same as Jill. We learn the story as she remembers.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 2/20/19.
Stephen (210 KP) rated Heavenly Creatures (1994) in Movies
Mar 12, 2019
Wealthy and precocious teenager Juliet (Kate Winslet) transfers from England to Christchurch, New Zealand, with her family, and forms a bond with the quiet, brooding Pauline (Melanie Lynskey) through their shared love of Mario Lanza and their games of make believe. But when their parents begin to suspect that their increasingly intense friendship is becoming unhealthy, the girls decide to run away together, hatching a dark plan for those who threaten to keep them apart.
The movie is one of Peter Jackson’s earlier works, and demonstrates his unique sense of directing which featured in his first few films. Both Kate Winslett and Melanie Lynskey give outstanding performances - Melanie’s scowling face is especially disturbing.
Based on a true story, Jackson focuses a lot on the dream world element of the girls’ story, which I feel gives the film’s ending even more shock appeal.
I won’t spoil the ending, but let me say that the first time I saw the movie I felt so disturbed I felt as if I was actually there, and even now, when I rewatch the movie, I still get chills when the girls are walking down that path....
I appreciate that the film is not going to appeal to everyone, but the amazing performances of the two main characters, and the horrifying insight into how deep obsessive friendships can go, makes this an essential but very disturbing watch.
The movie is one of Peter Jackson’s earlier works, and demonstrates his unique sense of directing which featured in his first few films. Both Kate Winslett and Melanie Lynskey give outstanding performances - Melanie’s scowling face is especially disturbing.
Based on a true story, Jackson focuses a lot on the dream world element of the girls’ story, which I feel gives the film’s ending even more shock appeal.
I won’t spoil the ending, but let me say that the first time I saw the movie I felt so disturbed I felt as if I was actually there, and even now, when I rewatch the movie, I still get chills when the girls are walking down that path....
I appreciate that the film is not going to appeal to everyone, but the amazing performances of the two main characters, and the horrifying insight into how deep obsessive friendships can go, makes this an essential but very disturbing watch.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Sweet St. Louis in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Everyone, I believe, wants to find that special someone to settle down with and spend the rest of their lives together. Until we reach that point in our lives, we enjoy ourselves with whomever happens to be with us at that time. For Anthony "Ant" Poole and Sharron Francis, that time has finally come. Anthony delivers a line to Sharron as she is walking down the street. A line Anthony has been waiting to use on the right person. A line that Sharron can't seem to forget. But Sharron is very different from any other woman Anthony has ever been with. She challenges him in way he would never imagine. Anthony is also a bit different from men Sharron has known. While he may be a player, he has accepted her challenge head on.
It has been a long time since I have read a book by Omar Tyree. At least ten years or more. But I enjoyed this book. Since it was written in the 90's it took me back to my single days and the person I was at that time in my life. It made me feel a bit nostalgic. I can't wait to read more Omar Tyree and even re-read the books I read before Flyy Girl and A Do Right Man.
It has been a long time since I have read a book by Omar Tyree. At least ten years or more. But I enjoyed this book. Since it was written in the 90's it took me back to my single days and the person I was at that time in my life. It made me feel a bit nostalgic. I can't wait to read more Omar Tyree and even re-read the books I read before Flyy Girl and A Do Right Man.
Peter_mark84 (59 KP) rated Days Gone in Video Games
Jun 9, 2019
Deep story (3 more)
Interesting characters
Cool mechanics
Beautiful environment
Bit fiddy control choices (1 more)
AI sometimes seems asleep
Gone are the days!
Just started this game.
Days Gone is a really good game. Taking tropes from The Last Of Us and The Walking Dead. Days Gone, combines the threat on 'zombies' with the ongoing threat of humans in a number of guises.
From opening the game in pursuit of Leon, you are drawn into a beautiful world. One that is full of dangers. Freakers are tough and varied from Swarmers and Newts to things I am yet to run into.
Mechanics are nothing new. But as the saying goes 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Great use of classic cover, stealth and instinct vision mechanics that we have seen in other games. However a mechanic that is relevantly new is that of monitoring the fuel usage. Only Mad Max used this idea before and this is supplemented by the mechanic of maintaining the bike. If either run low at the wrong time then it going be a nightmare to survive.
The only issue I have is the touch pad being used to access the menu. This leads to accidental opening of the menus.
Overall in the early days of playing this is a solid game. Hopefully the developers will add more content.
Days Gone is a really good game. Taking tropes from The Last Of Us and The Walking Dead. Days Gone, combines the threat on 'zombies' with the ongoing threat of humans in a number of guises.
From opening the game in pursuit of Leon, you are drawn into a beautiful world. One that is full of dangers. Freakers are tough and varied from Swarmers and Newts to things I am yet to run into.
Mechanics are nothing new. But as the saying goes 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Great use of classic cover, stealth and instinct vision mechanics that we have seen in other games. However a mechanic that is relevantly new is that of monitoring the fuel usage. Only Mad Max used this idea before and this is supplemented by the mechanic of maintaining the bike. If either run low at the wrong time then it going be a nightmare to survive.
The only issue I have is the touch pad being used to access the menu. This leads to accidental opening of the menus.
Overall in the early days of playing this is a solid game. Hopefully the developers will add more content.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Ibiza Undead (2016) in Movies
Oct 24, 2018
Watchable to pass the time...
It is like a less funny version of the Inbetweeners mixed with the Walking Dead on a party Isle...
If you are a gamer think of Dead Island with nightclubs...
I didn't expect much from the story and if I'm honest I was right, the humour worked in places and there were some good bits, but not enough to save it. The intentionally irritating friend was very irritating, in a way that I'm sure wasn't the writers hadn't intended. One character disappears midway through the film for a large chunk and it makes you wonder why the character was there in the first place only for him to reappear near the end.
Not enough was done to make you care about the characters - It didn't really make a difference if they would make it off the Island or end up as Zombie fodder, you didn't really find yourself willing them on - I know it's a 'comedy,' but whatever you are watching you should feel something for the characters.
That being said, it passed the time with something I didn't have to think about, after watching a couple of series that required subtitles recently I just wanted to Zombie out in the chair to wind down.
I've seen definitely seen better but I have also seen far worse...
If you are a gamer think of Dead Island with nightclubs...
I didn't expect much from the story and if I'm honest I was right, the humour worked in places and there were some good bits, but not enough to save it. The intentionally irritating friend was very irritating, in a way that I'm sure wasn't the writers hadn't intended. One character disappears midway through the film for a large chunk and it makes you wonder why the character was there in the first place only for him to reappear near the end.
Not enough was done to make you care about the characters - It didn't really make a difference if they would make it off the Island or end up as Zombie fodder, you didn't really find yourself willing them on - I know it's a 'comedy,' but whatever you are watching you should feel something for the characters.
That being said, it passed the time with something I didn't have to think about, after watching a couple of series that required subtitles recently I just wanted to Zombie out in the chair to wind down.
I've seen definitely seen better but I have also seen far worse...
David McK (3562 KP) rated Shattered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #7) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The most recent (as of the time of writing this review) of [a: Kevin Hearne|4414255|Kevin Hearne|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1289238438p2/4414255.jpg]'s 'Iron Druid series, which deals in a large part with 'daddy issues', and with the consequences Atticus faces for choosing to become the Iron Druid (iron, remember, is anathema to the faery races).
Since the start of the series, the number of Druids walking the earth has now trebled: no longer is there Atticus alone, but we now also have his apprentice Granuaile (sp?), as well as his old mentor who now goes by the name Owen Kennedy after being pulled off a time island at the start of this, after Atticus discovered him there at the end of the previous novel ([b: Hunted|17571837|Hunted|Karen Robards|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386557434s/17571837.jpg|24510885]).
As before, this is told in the first person narrative, largely taking it turns split between the (now three) main characters. Comic relief, as always, is provided by Atticus and Granuaile's trusty canine companions Oberon and Orlaith respectively, who the three main characters are able to communicate telepathically with. Also, as before, this ends on a decided cliffhanger to set up the next novel: one that I will, without a doubt, be picking up when it comes out.
Since the start of the series, the number of Druids walking the earth has now trebled: no longer is there Atticus alone, but we now also have his apprentice Granuaile (sp?), as well as his old mentor who now goes by the name Owen Kennedy after being pulled off a time island at the start of this, after Atticus discovered him there at the end of the previous novel ([b: Hunted|17571837|Hunted|Karen Robards|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386557434s/17571837.jpg|24510885]).
As before, this is told in the first person narrative, largely taking it turns split between the (now three) main characters. Comic relief, as always, is provided by Atticus and Granuaile's trusty canine companions Oberon and Orlaith respectively, who the three main characters are able to communicate telepathically with. Also, as before, this ends on a decided cliffhanger to set up the next novel: one that I will, without a doubt, be picking up when it comes out.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Gothika (2003) in Movies
Jul 21, 2019
Smh
Contains spoilers, click to show
Older movie but I never saw it so I thought I'd check it out. The cinematography in this one was good and the acting was ok but the story was all over the place. I think they simply tried hard to include too many aspects of the horror/thriller genre in one movie. A ghost confusingly trying to warn someone if something, a person trying to convince others she's not crazy, an unknown murder mystery within a murder mystery, a killer that comes face to face eith his victim's ghost, a person who ends up with the ability to see the dead, etc etc etc.... only thing missing was a creature from space(or hell). It was ok for what it tried to be, I guess. Tried to have plot twists but they only ended up being pretty predictable. The ending didn't make sense (spoiler here). The main character DID (without a doubt) - although while possessed (and that means what, exactly, to authorities of the law?)- kill her husband but was walking free at the end of the movie. How'd THAT happen? Just ignore ALL the evidence against her (fingerprints, witnesses, etc)? Anyway, if, and ONLY if, you're really bored and there's nothing else on, this one is (kinda) worth a watch. Otherwise, I'd say you're not missing much here.
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